It is the mission of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire to protect life, property and the environment by providing effective customer and human services related to fire suppression, first responder medical service, hazardous materials mitigation, emergency management service and domestic preparedness.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire encourages all personnel to take a proactive role in reducing the impact from emergencies by providing programs related to public education, risk reduction, fire prevention, community relations, disaster planning and operational training.

Welcome to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire's website. On our website you will find some valuable information regarding the Fire Bureau.

Contrary to popular belief, the Fire Bureau does not only put out fires, but we have some good ideas on how to prevent them. Visit the Special Programs page which lists some of these ideas.

Currently, the Bureau has over 600 firefighters that serve the City of Pittsburgh. The firefighters of your city are committed to the preservation and protection of life and property from the effects of fire, medical and hazardous conditions. The firefighters perform this job with the progressive education and training that they receive from the Bureau.

The majority of our firefighter's training is performed at the Fire Training Academy which is located at Washington and Negley Run Road. The Training Academy is currently staffed with a Battalion Chief and (4) Firefighter Instructors.

The Bureau also has an Arson Division which is currently staffed by a Fire Captain, (2) Firefighters and (5) Police Officers who work together to effectively investigate and solve malicious and mischievous fires throughout the City.

I take great pride in being the Fire Chief of the City of Pittsburgh. My job as Fire Chief would be a lot harder, if not for the dedication and pride our firefighters take in their job and the welfare of the residents of the City of Pittsburgh.

Chief Darryl Jones began his career with the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau on July 9, 2007. Prior to joining the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau, Chief Jones served with the Aliquippa Fire Department for 20 years. As the Fire Chief, he is responsible for the leadership of 630 uniformed personnel and all of the operations of the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau.

Chief Jones is committed to the safety and training of Pittsburgh firefighters, as well as the citizens of Pittsburgh. Under his leadership, and in cooperation with the American Red Cross, the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau has expanded Mayor Ravenstahl's Free Smoke Detector Program. Working in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Public Schools and the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau initiated the Risk Watch program in the schools. Risk Watch is a safety program that teaches safety techniques to students grades K-6 as part of the health curriculum. Further, the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau has refurbished its Company Inspection Program to make it more efficient and effective. The Pittsburgh Fire Bureau is the only metropolitan size fire department in the country in which 100% of its personnel are certified to the Firefighter II level. Chief Jones started initiatives to modernize firefighters' personal protective equipment, and the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau's apparatus. Because of public fire safety education, improved firefighter training, and the upgrading of equipment, as well as apparatus, the ISO rating for the City of Pittsburgh improved from a Class 4 fire department to a Class 2 fire department. It is Chief Jones' goal to develop the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau into an all-hazards emergency response service, thus making it the premier public safety bureau in the City.

Chief Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Carlow University in 1991, a Masters of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University in 1994, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Safety from Capella University in 2013. In addition, he is a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program, as well as the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government's National Preparedness Leadership Initiative. Chief Jones holds several certifications including Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, and Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the National Fire Protection Association.

Chief Jones enjoys spending time with his family, riding his motorcycle, listening to Jazz music, and teaching Leadership and Fire Science classes at the college level.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire 2012 Incident Type Summary

Description

Number of Incidents

Structure Fires

212

Fires - other

1,061

Rescue & EMS

23,679

Hazardous Conditions

2,762

Service Calls

3,059

Good Intent

10,443

False Alarms

3,750

Severe Weather

38

Special Incidents

232

Total Calls

45,236

Source: Firehouse

Deployment

The City of Pittsburgh is geographically divided into four (4) Battalions, which includes 30 Stations housing 34 Engine Companies, 3 Quint Companies, 11 Truck Companies, and a Mobile Air Compressor Unit. The Bureau of Fire now encompasses the Borough of Wilkinsburg.